Systems and methods for combined high intensity narrow spectrum and non-high intensity narrow spectrum lighting for surface disinfection in variably occupied environments

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for combined HINS and non-HINS lighting for surface disinfection. A lighting system controller is provided, which includes a memory, an i/o interface, and an electronic processor. The processor is configured to retrieve from the memory at least one characteristic of an area to be disinfected; determine, based on a signal received from a first sensor positioned to sense the presence of a person in the area, whether a person is present in the area; and, when a person is present in the area, determine a first drive signal based on the at least one characteristic and the presence of the person, and a second drive signal based on the presence of the person in the area and the first drive signal. The processor provides the first drive signal to drive to a HINS LED array and the second drive signal to drive a non-HINS LED array.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit ofthe filing date of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/797,287, filed Oct. 30, 2017, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/415,004, filed Oct.31, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety.

FIELD

The present application relates to the field of lighting and lightingcontrol systems.

BACKGROUND

High Intensity Narrow Spectrum (HINS) lighting systems include lightdevices, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to output lightat wavelengths from approximately 400 nm to approximately 420 nm (forexample, 405 nm). Light at such wavelengths has been shown to inactivate(that is, kill or damage) bacteria, including medically significantbacteria, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).Accordingly, HINS lights may be used to disinfect surfaces in, forexample, medical facilities, food storage or preparation facilities,environmentally controlled storage facilities, and in any other areaswhere it is desirable to control the occurrence of bacteria. Effectivedisinfection requires a sufficient dose of HINS light to be deliveredwithin a particular duration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a lighting system, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a lighting system controller, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 3 is flow chart of a method for operating the lighting system ofFIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is desirable to control the occurrence of potentially harmfulbacteria in certain locations, for example, medical facilities, foodstorage or preparation facilities, environmentally controlled storagefacilities, and the like. In such locations, HINS lighting systems maybe used for surface disinfection. Effective disinfection using HINSlight requires delivery of a sufficient dose (that is, sufficientenergy) of light, measured in joules per square centimeter (J/cm²). Thedose of energy delivered to a surface (and thus to the bacteria on thesurface) depends on the intensity of the HINS light and the durationthat the light is applied to the surface. Accordingly, energy dosage maybe varied by varying the intensity and duration of the HINS lightapplied in an area. Some applications (for example, food processing) mayrequire greater dosages than other applications (for example,disinfection of surfaces in an office environment).

Using conventional systems, it may not always be possible or desirableto produce HINS light at the recommended intensity for the recommendedduration based on the application or the environment. For example, whenan area is unoccupied, HINS light may be used at the recommendedintensity for the recommended duration to achieve effectivedisinfection. However, HINS light is in the near-ultraviolet spectrum,and is visible to humans as a blue or purple light. When an area isoccupied by humans, HINS light may not provide sufficient visibility andthe shade or intensity of the light may be visually uncomfortable (forexample, by altering the appearance of objects and surroundings in theilluminated area).

Accordingly, embodiments provide systems and methods for combined highintensity narrow spectrum and non-high intensity narrow spectrumlighting for surface disinfection in variably occupied environments.

One example embodiment provides a lighting system. The system provides adriver configured to provide a first drive signal and a second drivesignal, a high intensity narrow spectrum (HINS) LED array configured toreceive the first drive signal, a non-HINS LED array configured toreceive the second drive signal, a first sensor positioned to sense thepresence of a person in the area, and an electronic controller, which iscoupled to the driver and the first sensor. The electronic controllerincludes a memory and an electronic processor. The electronic processoris configured to retrieve from the memory at least one characteristic ofthe area. The electronic processor is configured to determine, via thefirst sensor, whether a person is present in the area. The electronicprocessor is configured to, when a person is present in the area,determine the first drive signal based on the at least onecharacteristic and the presence of the person; determine the seconddrive signal based on the presence of the person in the area and thefirst drive signal; control the driver to provide the first drive signalto the HINS LED array; and control the driver to provide the secondsignal to the non-HINS LED array.

Another example embodiment includes a method of controlling a lightingsystem for surface disinfection in an area. The method includesretrieving, with an electronic processor from a memory coupled to theelectronic processor, at least one characteristic of the area. Themethod includes determining, via a first sensor positioned to sense thepresence of a person in the area, whether a person is present in thearea. The method includes, when a person is present in the area,determining a first drive signal for a driver coupled to the electronicprocessor based on the at least one characteristic and the presence ofthe person. The method includes, when a person is present in the area,determining a second drive signal based on the presence of the person inthe area and the first drive signal. The method includes, when a personis present in the area, controlling the driver to provide the firstdrive signal to a high intensity narrow spectrum (HINS) LED array. Themethod includes, when a person is present in the area, controlling thedriver to provide the second signal to a non-HINS LED array.

Yet another example embodiment provides a lighting system controller.The controller includes a memory, an input/output interface, and anelectronic processor. The electronic processor is coupled to the memoryand the input/output interface. The electronic processor is configuredto retrieve from the memory at least one characteristic of an area to bedisinfected. The electronic processor is configured to determine, basedon a signal received via the input/output interface from a first sensorpositioned to sense the presence of a person in the area, whether aperson is present in the area. The electronic processor is configuredto, when a person is present in the area, determine a first drive signalbased on the at least one characteristic and the presence of the person.The electronic processor is configured to determine a second drivesignal based on the presence of the person in the area and the firstdrive signal. The electronic processor is configured to provide, via theinput/output interface, the first drive signal to a driver to drive to aHINS LED array. The electronic processor is configured to provide, viathe input/output interface, the second drive signal to the driver todrive a non-HINS LED array.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology usedherein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. The use of “including,” “comprising” or “having” andvariations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listedthereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Theterms “mounted,” “connected” and “coupled” are used broadly andencompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting, and coupling.Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical ormechanical connections or couplings, and can include electricalconnections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. Also, electroniccommunications and notifications may be performed using any known meansincluding wired connections, wireless connections, etc.

It should also be noted that a plurality of hardware and software baseddevices, as well as a plurality of different structural components maybe used to implement the invention. In addition, it should be understoodthat embodiments of the invention may include hardware, software, andelectronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, maybe illustrated and described as if the majority of the components wereimplemented solely in hardware. However, one of ordinary skill in theart, and based on a reading of this detailed description, wouldrecognize that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic-based aspectsof the invention may be implemented in software (e.g., stored onnon-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one or moreprocessors. As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware andsoftware based devices, as well as a plurality of different structuralcomponents may be utilized to implement the invention. For example,“control units” and “controllers” described in the specification caninclude one or more processors, one or more memory modules includingnon-transitory computer-readable medium, one or more input/outputinterfaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) connecting thecomponents.

For ease of description, some or all of the exemplary systems presentedherein are illustrated with a single exemplar of each of its componentparts. Some examples may not describe or illustrate all components ofthe systems. Other exemplary embodiments may include more or fewer ofeach of the illustrated components, may combine some components, or mayinclude additional or alternative components.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a lighting system 100. Thesystem 100 includes a lighting system controller 105, a power source110, a power supply 115, a driver 120, a non-HINS LED array 125, a HINSLED array 130, a first sensor 135, and a second sensor 140. The lightingsystem controller 105, the power source 110, the power supply 115, thedriver 120, the non-HINS LED array 125, the HINS LED array 130, thefirst sensor 135, and the second sensor 140, as well as various othermodules (not shown), are coupled directly, by one or more control ordata buses that enable communication therebetween.

The lighting system controller 105, described more particularly below(with respect to FIG. 2), controls the driver 120, the non-HINS LEDarray 125, and the HINS LED array 130 to produce HINS and non-HINS (forexample, warm white) light in the area 145. The area 145 may be anyarea, within which it is desirable to control the occurrence ofbacteria. For example, and without limitation, the area 145 may be amedical facility, a food storage or preparation facility, anenvironmentally controlled storage facility, and the like. The area 145may also be any other space where it is feasible to control theoccurrence of bacteria on surfaces using HINS light.

The power source 110 and the power supply 115 supply a nominal power tothe controller 105. In some embodiments, the power supply 115 receivesan alternating-current (AC) power from the power source 110 and convertsthe AC power into a nominal direct-current (DC) power. In someembodiments, the power source 110 may supply an AC power havingapproximately 100V to approximately 120V at a frequency of approximately50 Hz to approximately 60 Hz. In other embodiments, the power source 110supplies an AC power having approximately 200V to approximately 240V ata frequency of approximately 50 Hz to approximately 60 Hz. In otherembodiments, the power supply 115 includes a battery, or other powerstorage device.

The driver 120 receives AC power from the power source 110 and producesan output drive signal (for example, a constant direct current (DC) at aspecific voltage) to each of the non-HINS LED array 125 and the HINS LEDarray 130. In some embodiments, the driver 120 is configured to receiveDC power from the power supply 115. Regardless of its power source, thedriver 120 receives a control signal from the controller 105, and inresponse to the control signal, the driver 120 independently varies theDC output drive signals to the non-HINS LED array 125 and the HINS LEDarray 130. This produces, within the area 145, non-HINS (for example,white) light of varying intensity and duration and HINS light of varyingintensity and duration, either simultaneously or separately. Someembodiments include more than one driver 120. For example, someembodiments may include one driver for each array. In some embodiments,the driver includes a controller, which acts as a current splitter todivide current between the LED arrays (the non-HINS LED array 125 andthe HINS LED array 130) based on control signals received from thelighting system controller 105. In other embodiments, thecontroller/current splitter may be external to the driver 120.

The non-HINS LED array 125 includes one or more light-emitting diodes(LEDs) operating to produce light in the visible spectrum. In oneembodiment, the non-HINS LED array produces warm white light, (forexample, at a color temperature of 3000K). In some embodiments, thenon-HINS LED array 125 produces light at other colors and colortemperatures. The LEDs and other components (for example, powercircuitry, heat sinks, and the like) may be contained within a housingand may be part of a recessed ambient lighting system, a recessed downlighting system, a suspended direct lighting system, a suspendedindirect lighting system, a track lighting system, an area lightingsystem, a flood lighting system, and the like. In some embodiments, thenon-HINS LED array 125 may include an optic coupled to the LEDs. In suchan embodiment, the optic may be a diffusion optic, a prismatic optic, areflector optic, a total internal reflection (TIR) optic, a combinationoptic, a light pipe or edge lit optic, and the like.

The HINS LED array 130 includes one or more high intensity narrowspectrum LEDs operating with an output frequency of approximately 400 nmto approximately 420 nm. In one exemplary embodiment, the HINS LEDs havean output frequency of approximately 405 nm. The HINS LED array 130,like the non-HINS LED array 125 may be contained within a housing andmay include optics, as described above. In some embodiments, the HINSLED array 130 may be collocated or combined with the non-HINS LED array125 in a single housing. In other embodiments, multiple combinedHINS/non-HINS LED arrays are deployed in one or more areas.

As noted above, the HINS LED array 130 may be used to disinfect surfaceswithin the area 145. Accordingly, the HINS LED array 130 is positionedsuch that it can illuminate all of the surfaces within the area 145 tobe disinfected. The non-HINS LED array 125 is positioned such that itilluminates substantially the same portions of the area 145 as the HINSLED array 130. Some embodiments include two or more HINS LED arrays asneeded to provide sufficient coverage, and thus, disinfection, of all ofthe surfaces in the area 145. In such embodiments, the system 100includes sufficient non-HINS LED arrays arranged such that theyilluminate substantially the same portions of the area 145 as the two ormore HINS LED arrays. Whether there are one or many of each type of LEDarray, as described more particularly below, the controller 105 may useinputs from the first sensor 135, the second sensor 140, or both tocontrol the driver 120 (or multiple drivers) to illuminate the area 145with varying degrees of HINS light and non-HINS (for example, white)light.

The first sensor 135 and the second sensor 140 may be electronic orelectromechanical devices (for example, transducers), which detectaspects of the environment of the area 145 and communicate those aspectsas electrical signals to the controller 105. Either or both of thesensors may be a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, adual-tech sensor (that is, a combined infrared/ultrasonic sensor), amicrowave sensor, an acoustic sensor, or a thermopile sensor. In someembodiments, one or both of the first sensor 135 and the second sensor140 may capture images (for example, video, still images, or thermalimages) of the area 145. Some sensors may combine two or moretechnologies. For example, a microwave sensor may be combined with athermal imaging sensor to detect people who are moving or being still(for example, a person sleeping in a hospital bed). The first sensor 135and the second sensor 140 are positioned and configured to sense thepresence in the area 145 of, for example, one or more persons 155. Thecontroller 105 receives the electrical signals, captured images, orboth, and analyzes them to determine whether the area 145 is vacant oroccupied. In some embodiments, the controller 105 executes an objectclassifier to detect objects (for example, one or more persons 155) incaptured images.

The network 150 may a wired or wireless network. All or parts of thenetwork 150 may be implemented using various existing networks, forexample, a cellular network, the Internet, a Bluetooth™ network, a wiredlocal area network (for example, Ethernet), a wireless local areanetwork (for example, Wi-Fi), a wireless accessory Personal Area Network(PAN), and a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The network 150may also include future-developed networks. As illustrated in FIG. 1,the lighting system controller 105 and the second sensor 140 communicatewith each other using the network 150 using suitable wireless or wiredcommunications protocols. In some embodiments, communications with othercomponents of the system 100 (for example, the first sensor 135 and thedriver 120) or other external devices (not shown) occurs over thenetwork 150.

For ease of description, a single system 100 is illustrated providinglight in a single area 145. This should not be considered limiting.Embodiments of the system 100 may provide light for multiple areas. Insome embodiments, one lighting system controller 105 controls multipledrivers and LED arrays (for example, HINS arrays, non-HINS arrays, orcombined HINS/non-HINS arrays) to provide light for multiple areas. Inother embodiments, multiple lighting system controllers in communicationwith one and other (for example, over the network 150) provide light formultiple areas. In some embodiments, the area 145 is divided into two ormore zones, each zone having a HINS LED array, a non-HINS LED array, anda sensor positioned to detect the presence of persons within the zone.In such embodiments, the lighting in the zones may be controlledindependently of one another.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of one exemplary embodiment of the lighting systemcontroller 105. In the embodiment illustrated, the lighting systemcontroller 105 includes an electronic processor 200 (for example, amicroprocessor, or other electronic controller), a memory 205, and aninput/output interface 210. The electronic processor 200, the memory205, and the input/output interface 210, as well as the other variousmodules are coupled directly, by one or more control or data buses, or acombination thereof to enable communication therebetween. The memory 205may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), othernon-transitory computer-readable media, or a combination thereof. Insome embodiments, the memory 205 stores information regarding thecharacteristics the environment of the area 145 (for example, thedimensions of the area 145, the use of the area 145, the types ofbacteria likely to be found in the area 145, what types of bacteria itis desirable to protect against in the area 145, and when the area 145is likely to be occupied or vacant). The memory 205 may also storeinformation regarding the LED arrays (for example, the physicalplacement of the LED arrays within the area 145, the wavelength of theHINS LED array 130, and the color temperature of the non-HINS LED array125). The memory 205 may also store information regarding the intensityand duration of HINS light required to accomplish effective disinfectionof different types of bacteria. The electronic processor 200 isconfigured to retrieve instructions and data from the memory 205 andexecute, among other things, instructions to perform the methodsdescribed herein.

The input/output interface 210 obtains information and signals from, andprovides information and signals to, (for example, over one or morewired and/or wireless connections) devices both internal and external tothe lighting system controller 105. In one example, the electronicprocessor 200 sends control signals to the driver 120 via theinput/output interface 210. In another example, the electronic processor200 communicates with the first sensor 135 via the input/outputinterface 210 using a wired connection. The input/output interface 210may also include one or more network interfaces. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 2, the electronic processor 200 communicates, viathe input/output interface 210, with the second sensor 140 via thenetwork 150 over a wired or wireless network connection.

As noted above, it may not always be possible or desirable to produceHINS light at the recommended intensity for the recommended durationwhen, for example, the area 145 is occupied. Accordingly, FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary method 300 for operating the lighting system100 to apply HINS light, non-HINS light, or both based on at least theoccupancy or vacancy of the area. As an example, the method 300 isexplained in terms of the lighting system 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1,with the non-HINS LED array 125 configured to produce white light.

At block 302, the electronic processor 200 retrieves from the memory 205at least one characteristic of the area. The at least one characteristicmay be, for example, one or more dimensions of the area, a use of thearea 145 (for example, food preparation, food storage, office space, andthe like), a type of bacteria, which it is desirable to control withinthe area, or some combination of the foregoing. At block 304, theelectronic processor 200 determines, via the first sensor 135, whether aperson 155 is present in the area 145. In some embodiments, theelectronic processor 200 may determine whether a person is present byinterpreting signals from a passive infrared sensor, an ultrasonicsensor, a dual-tech sensor, a microwave sensor, an acoustic sensor, athermopile sensor. In some embodiments, the electronic processor 200 maydetermine whether a person is present by analyzing video or still imagesreceived from a thermal imaging sensor or an image capture device, suchas a digital video camera. In some embodiments, the electronic processor200 may determine whether a person is present via the first sensor 135and the second sensor 140. For example, the electronic processor 200 mayinterpret signals from an acoustic sensor to be speech and may interprettemperature readings from a thermopile sensor as body heat from one ormore persons 155. In another example the electronic processor 200 mayinterpret the signals from a microwave motion sensor to indicate thatthe area is vacant, while the signals from an infrared sensor indicatethat the area 145 is indeed occupied by a person 155 not moving or notmoving in the detectable area of the microwave sensors.

Regardless of what sensors are used, when the electronic processor 200determines that a person 155 is present in the area 145, at block 306,the electronic processor 200 determines the first drive signal based onthe at least one characteristic and the presence of the person 155, atblock 308. The first drive signal is used to drive the HINS LED array130 to produce HINS light. In one example, when the at least onecharacteristic is the type of bacteria to be damaged or killed, theelectronic processor determines from this, and the operating frequencyof the HINS LED array 130, an intensity and a duration of operation forthe HINS LED array 130. The first drive signal is in turn based on theintensity and operating duration, and the presence of the person in thearea 145. For example, because a person is present, the electronicprocessor 200 may reduce the intensity and increase the duration, toreduce the visual impact of the HINS light, while still delivering asufficient dose of HINS light to achieve the desired level ofdisinfection. At block 310, the electronic processor 200 determines thesecond drive signal based on the presence of the person in the area andthe first drive signal. The second drive signal includes an intensityand a duration for the white light. For example, because a person 155 ispresent in the area 145, more white light may be produced to improvevisibility in the area 145 and mitigate the visual impact of the HINSlight. The first drive signal is also used to determine the intensityand the duration of the non-HINS LED array 125, because, for example,the intensity of the HINS light may determine how much white lightshould be applied to effectively mitigate the visual discomfort causedby the HINS light. In some embodiments, a particular color range orcolor temperature range may be desirable for the area 145. In suchembodiments, the second drive signal is determined based on the lightcolor range or light color temperature range.

At block 312, the electronic processor 200 controls the driver 120 toprovide the first drive signal to the HINS LED array 130. At block 314,the electronic processor 200 controls the driver 120 to provide thesecond signal to the non-HINS LED array 125. In some embodiments, thefirst and second control signals control a current splitter integratedwith or external to the driver 120 to activate the non-HINS LED array125 and the HINS LED array 130 to provide visually pleasing light in thearea 145, which light still effectively disinfects the surfaces of thearea 145.

Returning to block 306, when a person 155 is not present in the area145, the electronic processor 200 determines the first drive signalbased on the at least one characteristic, at block 316. With regard atype of bacteria, the first drive signal is determined as described withrespect to block 308 above, except that the signal is not adjusted basedon the presence of a person. At block 318, the electronic processor 200determines the second drive signal based on the lack of a person 155 inthe area 145 (that is, the sensor signals do not indicate that a person155 is present in the area 145). In some cases, sensor signalsindicating the lack of a person 155 may result in the electronicprocessor 200 determining a second drive signal that results in no whitelight being generated.

At block 320, the electronic processor 200 controls the driver 120 toprovide the first drive signal to the HINS LED array 130. At block 322,the electronic processor 200 controls the driver to provide the secondsignal to the non-HINS LED array 125. In some embodiments, the first andsecond control signals control a current splitter in the driver 120 toactivate only the HINS LED array 130, while leaving the non-HINS LEDarray 125 inactive, to provide a sufficient dose of HINS light in thearea 145, which HINS light effectively disinfects the surfaces of thearea 145 without extending the duration past what is recommended basedon the type of bacteria.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, systems and methodsfor combined high intensity narrow spectrum and non-HINS lighting forsurface disinfection in variably occupied environments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lighting system for surface disinfection in anarea to be disinfected, the lighting system comprising: a driverconfigured to provide a first drive signal and a second drive signal; ahigh intensity narrow spectrum (HINS) LED array configured to receivethe first drive signal; a non-HINS LED array configured to receive thesecond drive signal; a first sensor positioned to sense the presence ofa person in the area; and an electronic controller, coupled to thedriver and the first sensor, including an electronic processorconfigured to determine, via the first sensor, whether a person ispresent in the area; and when a person is present in the area, determinethe first drive signal based on at least one characteristic of the areaand the presence of the person; determine the second drive signal basedon one selected from the group consisting a desired light color rangefor the area and a desired light color temperature range for the area;control the driver to provide the first drive signal to the HINS LEDarray; and control the driver to provide the second drive signal to thenon-HINS LED array.
 2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein theelectronic processor is further configured to, when a person is notpresent in the area, determine the first drive signal based on the atleast one characteristic; determine the second drive signal based on thelack of a person in the area; control the driver to provide the firstdrive signal to the HINS LED array; and control the driver to providethe second drive signal to the non-HINS LED array.
 3. The lightingsystem of claim 1, wherein the first drive signal includes an intensityand a duration of operation.
 4. The lighting system of claim 1, whereinthe electronic processor is further configured to determine the firstdrive signal based on an operating frequency of the HINS LED array. 5.The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristicis at least one selected from a group consisting of at least onedimension of the area, a use of the area, and a type of bacteria.
 6. Thelighting system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor includes at leastone of a group consisting of a passive infrared sensor, an ultrasonicsensor, a dual-tech sensor, a microwave sensor, an acoustic sensor, athermopile sensor, a thermal imaging sensor, and an image capturedevice.
 7. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising: a secondsensor positioned to sense the presence of a person in the area; whereinthe electronic controller is coupled to the second sensor, and theelectronic processor is further configured to determine, via the firstsensor and the second sensor, whether a person is present in the area.8. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is coupledto the electronic controller via a wireless network connection.
 9. Amethod of controlling a lighting system for surface disinfection in anarea to be disinfected, the method comprising: determining, via a firstsensor positioned to sense the presence of a person in the area, whethera person is present in the area; and when a person is present in thearea, determining a first drive signal for a driver coupled to theelectronic processor based on at least one characteristic of the areaand the presence of the person; determining a second drive signal basedon one selected from the group consisting a desired light color rangefor the area and a desired light color temperature range for the area;controlling the driver to provide the first drive signal to a highintensity narrow spectrum (HINS) LED array; and controlling the driverto provide the second drive signal to a non-HINS LED array.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: when a person is not present inthe area, determining the first drive signal based on the at least onecharacteristic; determining the second drive signal based on the lack ofa person in the area; controlling the driver to provide the first drivesignal to the HINS LED array; and controlling the driver to provide thesecond drive signal to the non-HINS LED array.
 11. The method of claim9, wherein determining the first drive signal includes determining anintensity and a duration of operation.
 12. The method of claim 9,wherein determining the first drive signal includes determining thefirst drive signal based on an operating frequency of the HINS LEDarray.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the first drivesignal based on the at least one characteristic includes determining thefirst drive signal based on at least one selected from a groupconsisting of at least one dimension of the area, a use of the area, anda type of bacteria.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein determiningwhether a person is present in the area via the first sensor includesdetermining whether a person is present in the area via at least one ofa group consisting of a passive infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, adual-tech sensor, a microwave sensor, an acoustic sensor, a thermopilesensor, a thermal imaging sensor, and an image capture device.
 15. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: determining, via the first sensorand a second sensor positioned to sense the presence of a person in thearea, whether a person is present in the area.
 16. The method of claim9, wherein determining whether a person is present in the area includescommunicating wirelessly with a first sensor positioned to sense thepresence of a person in the area.
 17. A lighting system controller, thelighting system controller comprising: an input/output interface; and anelectronic processor, coupled to the input/output interface, wherein theelectronic processor is configured to determine, based on a signalreceived via the input/output interface from a first sensor positionedto sense the presence of a person in an area to be disinfected, whethera person is present in the area; and when a person is present in thearea, determine a first drive signal based on at least onecharacteristic of the area and the presence of the person; determine asecond drive signal based on one selected from the group consisting adesired light color range for the area and a desired light colortemperature range for the area; provide, via the input/output interface,the first drive signal to a driver to drive to a HINS LED array; andprovide, via the input/output interface, the second drive signal to thedriver to drive a non-HINS LED array.
 18. The lighting system controllerof claim 17, wherein the electronic processor is further configured to,when a person is not present in the area, determine the first drivesignal based on the at least one characteristic; determine the seconddrive signal based on the lack of a person in the area; provide, via theinput/output interface, the first drive signal to a driver to drive to aHINS LED array; and provide, via the input/output interface, the seconddrive signal to the driver to drive a non-HINS LED array.
 19. Thelighting system controller of claim 17, wherein the electronic processoris further configured to determine the first drive signal based on anoperating frequency of the HINS LED array.
 20. The lighting systemcontroller of claim 17, wherein the electronic processor is furtherconfigured to determine the second drive signal based on the first drivesignal and a desired light color range for the area.